Hi All,
Am planning a trip to Africa early next year and hoping to get 10 days of kiting in in either Kenya or Mozambique. I have had Mozambique recommended by a few people, in particular Barra Beach but it looks like Vilanculos might be a safer alternative (Barra is just that little remote and does not seem to have any kite schools etc) - has anyone been to either and can offer any advice?
Cheers,
Ben
Hi Ben
I can only comment on Mozambique, as I lived in Vilanculos for many years, and learnt to kite there too.
Vilanculos is definately a great place to kite at that time of the year. At low tide sand banks are exposed and there is plenty of glassy water. Good wind in summer (15-25knts).The Bazaruto Archipelago is also a great place to kite, and if no wind to snorkel and dive. Head to Vilanculos, hook up with Mark and the Kitezone club and have fun with kite mad locals who are all very happy to see fellow addicts from all over the world. The Kitezone club is located at the Casbar and the beers are cold.
Cheers.
Hi Ben,
You can always have a look at some of our photos and videos here: www.vilanculosdownwind.com or here www.kitesurfingcentre.com
It will give you a good idea of the location. The best windy season is from late August to January but in 10 days early in the year i believe you might have at least 5 days of good wind.
PS: Dave, we miss you - hope you're finding good spots on that side of the world :*
Pemba beach in North Mozambique is worthwhile, apparently gets about 9 months of good wind a year, hardly anyone there, 1 Italian dude opened up a little villa resort in 2010 which looked pretty good.
Diani Beach in Kenya was nice, choppy but nice setting, good beach bars and no crowds.. (as in no one out...ever..)
On the Mozambique- South Africa border there's Tofinho and Ponta d'ouro, great spots for surfing and when the wind is good kitesurfing too..
Have fun!
Thanks for the tips everyone, we are leaning towards Vilanculos at present but still doing research, will let you know which way we go.
Hi Guys,
We are also considering Tofo in Mozambique as it gets some good feedback and the accom situation looks good. There is mentioned of a kite school there in a few places but I cant seem to get any concrete details about it - the link that i have seen is www.tofokite.co.za but it seems to be invalid - can anyone confirm if there is still a kite school operational there? And any other general feedback re kiting in Tofo / Barra would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Ben
Hi Ben
Tofu is a great place to surf and is a popular backpacker spot. When I was last there I looked for Tofokite but there were no kitesurf schools or clubs set up on a permanent basis. I think that Tofokite is a peak tourist season business - some guys having a working holiday renting out kites and giving lessons. Barra is more upmarket than Tofo accommodation wise, but I think would only be good to kite when a northerly is blowing. For kiting I think you will find Vilanculos a better option
FYI It is a 4 hour drive from Vilanculos and Tofo. Jangamo, 10km south of Tofo would be a better place to kite if you end up In that part of the world You will need a 4x4 to get there though.
Cheers
Dave
Thanks for the valuable info Dave.
A friend of mine runs a holiday operation out of Barra and can chauffeur us around whilst there which attractive and the accommodation looks cheaper and nicer in Tofo but from a pure kiting point of view and risk assessment Vilanculos seems to be the place to go - from a pure stats point of view Tofo seems to have an average of around 10 knots in Feb compared with 27 knots in Vilanculos at the same time of year -
Here is the wind stats at Tofo
And Vilanculos
Now the stats dont give the entire picture, but from the point of view of flying halfway around the world to go kiting, the stats do have a lot of weight - in conjunction with others feedback of course. With the feedback and the stats, it looks like Vilanculos may be the go - we have already booked the flights and hopefully in the next week will book the location / accom. Will keep you all up to date!
Cheers,
Ben
Hi Ben.
I am very surprised at those wind stats of Tofo and Vilanculos. There is only 200km difference in latitude between them. Those wind stats look suspect. Also April and May - in Vilanculos we would go mad for an average of 24 or 31 knots of wind. The wind is blowing in February though! Enjoy!
Hi Dave,
It seems that Tofo is just at the merge point of 2 fronts - the Nor-Easter comes down the coast between Moz and Madagascar past Vilanculos and a South Easter comes up and hits the Nor-Easter right at Tofo which might explain a bit - this is all based on looking at pretty pictures on the net and has no actual base in real experience!
I think we have decided on the best plan of attack - we are going to spend a week in Tofo and then a week in Vilanculos - best of both worlds.
Cheers,
Ben
